2018 Cadillac XT5 Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 15 1 fire

“Driving down the road and my 2018 Cadillac XT5 started on fire for no reason and no engine lights came on. I loss all driving control power steering in the matter of seconds and was trapped in the car waiting for cars to clear so I can run out. The car is with my insurance company the car is now a total loss and I don't think they will investigate. I called GM to make a complaint. The fireman said he had just put a fire out on the same car a week ago. I found out that we have 2 more cars in the Macomb county MI area that caught on fire in the last 3 months same type of car.”
NHTSA complaint #11466228, 2022 · fire

“Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and common problem for this make, year and model and the cost to fix the problem is very expensive. This issue has been reported by many Cadillac owners on their forum. My mechanic confirmed the problem with the thermostat caused the steering assist is reduced message, along with the air conditioning malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11740245, 2026

“While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral,…”
NHTSA complaint #11727656, 2026

Electrical System 14 1 fire

“Driving down the road and my 2018 Cadillac XT5 started on fire for no reason and no engine lights came on. I loss all driving control power steering in the matter of seconds and was trapped in the car waiting for cars to clear so I can run out. The car is with my insurance company the car is now a total loss and I don't think they will investigate. I called GM to make a complaint. The fireman said he had just put a fire out on the same car a week ago. I found out that we have 2 more cars in the Macomb county MI area that caught on fire in the last 3 months same type of car.”
NHTSA complaint #11466228, 2022 · fire

“The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The vehicle was recently purchased, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified and sent a mobile mechanic to the residence to diagnose the vehicle; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that the emission starter module had failed. The dealer reprogrammed the emission starter modul…”
NHTSA complaint #11725505, 2025

“While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried…”
NHTSA complaint #11695654, 2025

Steering 12

“Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and common problem for this make, year and model and the cost to fix the problem is very expensive. This issue has been reported by many Cadillac owners on their forum. My mechanic confirmed the problem with the thermostat caused the steering assist is reduced message, along with the air conditioning malfunctioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11740245, 2026

“Thermostat failure causes steering assist to be reduced. This leaves more difficult steering especially in an emergency situation, thus a safety concern. The vehicle displays a warning: "Steering Assist Is Reduced, Drive with care". An internet search shows this is a well-known problem across all General Motor vehicles. This is also indicated by the technician notes on my repair invoice that a bulletin from the manufacturer has been issued. After restart the warning clears leaving the driver to believe all is well. After a number of miles it reappears.”
NHTSA complaint #11737788, 2026

“To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac XT5, VIN [XXX] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Reduced” message on the dashboard while driving. This warning significantly increases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, and I believe it presents a genuine safety hazard.Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized Cadillac dealership, I was informed that the vehicle had stored diagnostic trouble code P0128 (Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature). The dealer expla…”
NHTSA complaint #11712970, 2026

Unknown Or Other 12 1 crash

“After exiting a car wash (automated)on Monday-7/3/23, I was attempting to stop my vehicle so I could dry the exterior with towels. I was on the car wash property and as I approached an area that was open, I attempted to stop the vehicle, the engine revved very high and the vehicle took off at a very high speed in fractions of a second. The vehicle then climbed over a flower embankment and hit the wall of the Car wash. The impact was so great that it put a large hole in the wall and ruptured a main water line creating a huge water leak. The fire department and police officer arrived at the sce…”
NHTSA complaint #11530753, 2023 · crash

“Cadillac XT5 had a “steering assist is reduced” message on the driver information center. P0128 Code”
NHTSA complaint #11692134, 2025

“Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11674072, 2025

Power Train 11 1 crash

“I WAS STOPPED BY A ROAD CREW. THERE WERE 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND AS I WAITED FOR THEM TO LET US THROUGH ABOUT 10 CARS WERE STOPPED BEHIND ME. I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO WHEN I HAD THE WEIRD SENSATION THAT I WAS GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF BEING STOPPED. I LOOKED AROUND, REALIZED I WAS GOING BACKWARDS AND WENT TO HIT THE BREAK BUT MY CAR HAD ALREADY HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE MAN IN THE CAR BEHIND ME TOLD THE POLICE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED THAT HE DID NOT SEE BACK UP LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATOR THAT THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. I DIDN'T TOUCH THE GEAR SHIFT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO GO IN R…”
NHTSA complaint #11337124, 2020 · crash

“While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral,…”
NHTSA complaint #11727656, 2026

“While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried…”
NHTSA complaint #11695654, 2025

Service Brakes 8

“While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral,…”
NHTSA complaint #11727656, 2026

“Brakes failure. Approaching a busy intersection and facing a red light, I slowed and prepared to stop the vehicle. Nothing happened with regard to braking; instead, the engine seemed to rev up as it continued through the red-lighted intersection with 2 lanes of busy cross traffic from both directions. That there was not a collision is a miracle. I also noticed some flashing displays on the display screen, though hard to take time to read them while avoiding a crash and still trying to stop the car, but I believe they referenced "parking assist." My husband came and drove the car t…”
NHTSA complaint #11703912, 2025

“I was having some routine maintenance done on my car and a popping sound was heard around and under the front of my car. The the car displays a break light in the display and the fault code C056E is now constantly present in the computer. My vehicle is not showing a recall but I know this problem. Is a recall on other similar year and models.”
NHTSA complaint #11548925, 2023

Vehicle Speed Control 4 1 crash

“After exiting a car wash (automated)on Monday-7/3/23, I was attempting to stop my vehicle so I could dry the exterior with towels. I was on the car wash property and as I approached an area that was open, I attempted to stop the vehicle, the engine revved very high and the vehicle took off at a very high speed in fractions of a second. The vehicle then climbed over a flower embankment and hit the wall of the Car wash. The impact was so great that it put a large hole in the wall and ruptured a main water line creating a huge water leak. The fire department and police officer arrived at the sce…”
NHTSA complaint #11530753, 2023 · crash

“The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The vehicle was recently purchased, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified and sent a mobile mechanic to the residence to diagnose the vehicle; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that the emission starter module had failed. The dealer reprogrammed the emission starter modul…”
NHTSA complaint #11725505, 2025

“The accelerator on the car started to excel and shift in traffic where I had to pull over. Over the last few months the car has had some electrical issues with the braking and collision alerts going off and the car stopping which the dealer said they couldn't find the problem. Also the brakes since purchasing the vehicle has had to be switched out several times and now the parking brake light is on after being repaired 2 times. This car is definitely unsafe and the dealer insist it is.”
NHTSA complaint #11421377, 2021

Structure 3 1 fire 2 injury

“IF EITHER TRACKS OF THE FRONT SEATS ARE NOT PERFECTLY ALIGNED WITH THE BASE, SOME VERY SHARP METAL IS EXPOSED. IT HAS CUT TWO TOES SO FAR WHEN EXITING THE CAR. IF IT CUTS MY FATHER MAJOR PROBLEM, HE IS A HEMOPHILIAC. CADILLAC SAYS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. FUNNY.”
NHTSA complaint #11130711, 2018 · 2 injury(ies)

“Driving down the road and my 2018 Cadillac XT5 started on fire for no reason and no engine lights came on. I loss all driving control power steering in the matter of seconds and was trapped in the car waiting for cars to clear so I can run out. The car is with my insurance company the car is now a total loss and I don't think they will investigate. I called GM to make a complaint. The fireman said he had just put a fire out on the same car a week ago. I found out that we have 2 more cars in the Macomb county MI area that caught on fire in the last 3 months same type of car.”
NHTSA complaint #11466228, 2022 · fire

Visibility/Wiper 3

“My windshield has a lot of spider and has never been hit with anything. They spread from the bottom up”
NHTSA complaint #11729876, 2026

“THE GUIDELINES OFTEN FAIL TO DISPLAY WHEN SWITCHING THE CAR IN TO REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE: 'THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITION MAY BE THE RVC IMAGE BEING PROVIDED VIA AN ALTERNATE ROBUST RVC FEED FROM THE VIDEO BYPASS MODULE. TO ENSURE THAT THE RVC IMAGE IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN IN REVERSE THIS ALTERNATE ROBUST RVC FEED IS PROVIDED IF THE PRIMARY CAMERA FEED IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY REASON. A CALIBRATION CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE THAT REDUCES, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE, EVERY CAUSE OF MISSING REARVIEW CAMERA GUIDELINES.' HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE THAN H…”
NHTSA complaint #11308552, 2019

“POOR HEADLAMP PERFORMANCE. AT THIS PRICE POINT, HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE SHOULD BE STANDARD. NIGHT TIME DRIVING & DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THESE POORLY DESIGNED HALOGEN PROJECTOR HEADLAMPS”
NHTSA complaint #11207401, 2018

Exterior Lighting 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CADILLAC XT5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BEYOND 50 FEET OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATTERSON CADILLAC LOCATED IN WICHITA FALLS, TX, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE LIGHTS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER FOUND NO DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300.”
NHTSA complaint #11321208, 2018

Seats 2

“The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the front driver's side seat independently moved forward and backward. The contact stated that the driver's side rearview mirror independently folded inwards. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was persistent and scary. The contact stated that during the failure, the driver's seat independently moved forward, and the contact was pushed up to the dashboard. The contact stated that when the front driver's seat independently moved backwards, the contact was pushed to t…”
NHTSA complaint #11695250, 2025

“Passenger side seat bolts attaching seat to frame loosened and seat began to rock”
NHTSA complaint #11594867, 2024

Suspension 2

“Rear toe arms are malfunctioning barely drive vehicle on 54342 mileage on vehicle. Having to do with steering jeopardize Leicester on my and my family. VMy vehicle has been inspected. This issue has been inspected by Cadillac mechanics and indicated needs immediate attention. No indicator lights were illuminated to inform me of danger. I am impalled about this situation and I shouldn’t be charged for this mechanical default.”
NHTSA complaint #11641827, 2025

“When I get on the freeway and go around 68 mph my vehicle starts shaking and I constantly get a stabilitrak message that flashes on and off. I have to hold the steering will tight because it swerves a little and had to start driving away from cars. I took it to get the wheels balanced and it still does the same thing. The mechanic from the dealer ship I purchased the vehicle from said he could not find anything wrong with it.”
NHTSA complaint #11441811, 2021

Tires 2

“The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5 equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Touring H/T, Tire Size: 235/55/R20, DOT Number: B9AJ00TX2017. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the rear driver's side tire had a sidewall blowout. The contact's wife was able to drive to a tire dealer. The dealer replaced all four tires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #11444043, 2021

“2018 CADILLAC XTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HAVING THE WRONG SIZE SPARE TIRE FOR VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11119213, 2018

Forward Collision Avoidance 1 1 crash

“After exiting a car wash (automated)on Monday-7/3/23, I was attempting to stop my vehicle so I could dry the exterior with towels. I was on the car wash property and as I approached an area that was open, I attempted to stop the vehicle, the engine revved very high and the vehicle took off at a very high speed in fractions of a second. The vehicle then climbed over a flower embankment and hit the wall of the Car wash. The impact was so great that it put a large hole in the wall and ruptured a main water line creating a huge water leak. The fire department and police officer arrived at the sce…”
NHTSA complaint #11530753, 2023 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CADILLAC XT5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SAFETY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FIVE TIMES, BUT THE FUEL SAFETY INDICATOR ILLUMINATED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR CADILLAC (6100 CENTRAL AVE, TOLEDO, OH 43615, (419) 842-8800) WHERE A NEW EVAP PURGE VALVE WAS INSTALLED. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED AND NEW ENGINE BANKS WERE INSTALLED. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE FUEL SAFETY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND A TECHNICIAN FROM THE MANUFA…”
NHTSA complaint #11160915, 2018

Visibility 1

Wheels 1

“The tread is separating from the tire in chunks. Never seen this in a 21000 mile factory Michelin tire let alone any other tire before. It exposes the core of the tire which is a safety hazard. Called Michelin and they were only concerned about the warrantee, not the safety.”
NHTSA complaint #11598241, 2024